2020 AFL Multicultural Ambassadors Announced

The impressive list of ambassadors includes representatives from the AFL, AFLW, VFL, Victorian Wheelchair Football League and Victorian Blind Football League.

Over the course of the year, the AFL Multicultural Ambassadors will dedicate their time to support a variety of AFL Diversity programs and key projects as well as work closely with diverse communities to engage with people from multicultural backgrounds to connect with the game of Australian Football.

In addition, for the first time ever, the AFL will welcome a record number of multicultural themed games throughout the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season to celebrate diversity.

Speaking at the official launch held at the Melbourne Museum today, AFL General Manager for Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch said that the new crop of AFL Multicultural Ambassadors will play an important role in making the game of Australian Football more inclusive for all.

“Australian football is a game for everyone, and the Multicultural Ambassador program is just one way the AFL is working towards understanding, learning from, engaging with, and welcoming people of all cultures to our game.

“In season 2019, 13 per cent of all AFL and AFLW players were from multicultural backgrounds, but we need to grow the size of the cultural diversity in our game, so our Multicultural Ambassadors will play an important role in engaging with future generations of diverse talent to ensure this number is more reflective of our community,” Ms Hosch said.

“Sport is a great vehicle in breaking down barriers and bringing communities together, so we’re excited to have not one, but 11 dedicated multicultural games which promotes inclusiveness and embraces diversity.”

In season 2019, multicultural participation in community football across the country was 87,000 while multicultural participation in NAB AFL Auskick made up 21 per cent of total participation in the NAB AFL Auskick program.